Good point. Plan A actually failed many times prior to Parker/Kirby taking over AA.

AA management (prior to Parker & Kirby) tried merging with JB a few times. JB resisted & refused AA’s internal offers publicly somewhat in a embarrassing way. David Barger CEO JB essentially said Hell No to offers. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yOM6csohc5c

Then US Air saw AA in its weakness made public offers to buy AA. AA tried to resist. Parker/Kirby then went the aggressive route, gained support from AA Pilots & Flight Attendant Unions. Very public declaration of support given to Parker/Kirby & US Airways taking over AA management by the Pilots, FA’s and other AA employee groups. The campaign was successful US Air management executed the merger with AA in BK & put Humpty Dumpty (AA) back together. PIT shrunk, NY (JFK/LGA) shrunk, BOS shrunk, DFW grew leaps and bounds.



Looking back, Dave Barger was right all along.